Canada

The arrival of spring means it may be time to enjoy a trip to Canada’s great outdoors. Our northern neighbor’s unspoiled wilderness, magnificent mountains, and scenic lakes beckon hikers, hunters, and fisherman each year. Canada is aviation-friendly and there’s no better way to see the country than by air. However, since much of Canada is wilderness area, Canadian Aviation Regulations require pilots to carry survival equipment for many flights. Find out if your trip requires specific gear with lists of recommended survival gear by season and area.

From the Citadel in Quebec City to Victoria's Inner Harbour, from the humpback whales of Brier Island to Jasper National Park's great fishing, Canada calls to us to come and visit. History buffs, adventurers, nature lovers, and cultural aficionados will be delighted with the variety of sights and experiences Canada offers. Its territories are huge, spanning 3.8 million square miles - making it the perfect flying trip - and the general-aviation-friendly country welcomes pilots from the "Lower 48" and Alaska. Flying across the border involves some preparation, so if you are planning to make the trip, these are the basic requirements.

Some people will do just about anything for the chance to catch some really big fish - and pilots are no exception. If that means flying for hours across a rugged and remote wilderness, landing on a gravel airstrip in the midst of a 200-mile-long lake, and crossing a couple international borders, so much the better. Not many things can compete with a good flying story—except, perhaps for a flying story that’s also a fish story.

We knew fuel was going to be a problem. During the previous few months of planning for this trip across Canada and northward into the Arctic in a Cessna 182, it was clear that finding 100LL was going to be one of the main concerns once past about 55 degrees north.

It’s June and flying activity is in full swing in Alaska! For those of us in the lower 48 states, flying there can be the adventure of a lifetime. If a trip of this magnitude is on your radar, here is some practical information to help make that dream a reality.

Calls have jumped in AOPA's Pilot Information Center concerning U.S. aircraft sales to international buyers. Questions typically involve helping the seller understand what is involved in exporting an aircraft. The process of selling an aircraft can be challenging enough, but when you add exporting that aircraft to a buyer across the border, or across the ocean, the task can seem daunting. AOPA is here to help! We’ll discuss a few of the most important aspects of the exporting process, including the Export Certificate of Airworthiness, deregistering the aircraft, and options for transporting the aircraft to the buyer’s location, as well as providing specific information for exporting to Canada.

“This is not a tour, it’s a rally!” declares Aviation Connection’s International Air Rally President Catherine Tobenas in a sharp French accent. “Not a holiday, but a challenge, for true fliers!” The petite Canadian is addressing a group of weary yet exhilarated participants who have formed a close-knit family since coming together from all over the world to fly the great Cross-Canada Air Rally.

It takes more than an hour to drive from Glasgow (population 3,253) in northeastern Montana to the Nelson ranch (population six) next to the Canadian border. Paved highways get you close but come with a caution: Antelope frequently cross the roads.

ANSWERS FOR PILOTS Flying to Canada As the weather warms up, many pilots, like the birds, get the urge to fly north. From May through September, AOPA answers phone and e-mail inquiries from pilots asking what is needed to fly across the border into Canada.